The former Vice-Presidential candidate launched a third-term bid in September but faced a barrage from Trump and Republicans over scandal involving COVID-era fraud and luxury purchases.
By Catholics for Catholics
Amid a growing gargantuan welfare assistance fraud scandal, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the former 2024 Vice-Presidential Democratic candidate, announced Monday he is leaving his bid to run for a third term for governor of that state.
“As I reflected on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all,” Walz wrote in a statement, according to Fox News. “Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences.”
“So, I’ve decided to step out of this race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work in front of me for the next year,” the governor said. Walz refused any questions but said he would return to take questions.
Still, Waltz blamed the GOP for some of his current trials: “The political gamesmanship we’re seeing from Republicans is only making that fight harder to win.”
.@Tim_Walz drops reelection bid for Minnesota governor amid mounting scrutiny over his administration's handling of exposed welfare fraud in the state. https://t.co/ouVjh5drwX pic.twitter.com/s73J1adyga
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 5, 2026
Described as the country’s biggest COVID-era machination, over 90 people have been charged, mostly from Minnesota’s Somali community. The accusations range from fraudulent meal and housing programs, money laundering, daycare centers, Medicaid services and more, with no exact figures—the U.S. attorney of Minnesota said the range of the fraud could go past $1 billion and go as high as $9 billion.
Prosecutors said that some of the dozens that have already pleaded guilty in the case used the money to purchase opulent cars, real estate, jewelry and high-roller vacations, with some of the monies also sent overseas and possibly into the hands of Islamic terrorists.
“This is on my watch, I am accountable for this and, more importantly, I am the one that will fix it,” Walz told reporters last month, as he took responsibility for the scandal.
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